Hydraulic ram.



s. B., o. E. & W. R. HILL. HYDRAULIGRAM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.11, 1911. BENEWED DEU. 23, 1911.

Lm 6,409. Patented Feb. 6, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

S. B., G. E. da W. R. HILL.

HYDRAULIC RAM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-11, 1911. RENEWED DEO. 23. 1911. 1 6,49.

Patented Feb. 6, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

S. B., C. E. L W. R. HILL. HYDRAULIC RAM.

APPLICATION FILED man, 1911. RBNPWED 1330.23. 1911.

mmgl, l Patented Peb. 6, 191,2.4

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

v- 5MP/Wto. Stirling" /Zi Climzfe E Hill William R. Hz'Z? Qmem UNITED STATES PATENT ermee.

STIRLING IB. HILL, CLIMIE E. HILL, AND WILLIAM HILL, F SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

HYDRAULIC RAM.

Specication of Letters Patent.

' Patented Feb. 6, 1912.

Application med February .11, 1911,'serie11re.l 603,07?. Renewed December 2s, 1911. serial ne. 667,548.

To aZZ whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that we, STIRLING B. HILL, CLIMIE E. HILL, and WILLIAM R. HILL, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Seattle, in thecounty of -King and State of Washington, have invented .certain new and useful Improvements in Hydraulic Rams, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to hydraulic rams.

An important object of this invention is 'to provide a valve in a hydraulic ram which with a small weight and movement will producea maximum area for the passage of water.

A further object of this invention is to furnish valves in the hydraulic ram so shaped that the pressure thereon will be as nearly as practicable, balanced thus greatly reducing the jar of closing.

-Al further object of this invention is to provide a hydraulic ram which is eiiicient, expeditious and continuous in its operation.

A further object of this inventlon is to lprovide a hydraulic ram of simple and compact construction, having its waste valve discharging downwardly so that the water does not go upwardly to fall back upon l,the ram. r

A further object of this invention is to provide a hydraulic ram comprising valves so constructed that the least amount of re-V sistance is offered tothe water therethrough.

Other 'objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed todesignate like parts throughout the same,v Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional View taken through when passing our improved hydraulic ram, Fig. 2 is asimilar view taken through a slightly differ-l ent/form of ram. and, Fig. .3 is a similar view l taken through a thid diferent 'form In the drawings wherein is illustrated a preferred' embodiment .of our invention, attention beingcalled to Fig. 1, thnumeral l designates `a preferably lapproximi'rtely cylindrical casing, provided at its upper and lower ends with langcd nipples 2'a1'1d 3. The casing 1v is further providedmwith a.v laterallyextendingnipple 4, havin suitable connection-with a coupling 5, whic' in turn "is connected with a drive pipe 6. The lower upon and suitably secured to the lianged nipple 2. The lower end of the tank section 8 is formed open, as shown, whereby communication may be established between the casing l and said storage tank. The tank section 8 is provided with a discharge pipe 9, adapted to conduct the fluid under pressure to the device which is to be operated thereby. The tank section 8 is provided preferably at a point diametrically with re lation vto the pipe 9 with a man-hole 10, which is normally closed by a head 11. This head engages packing 12 disposed between the head 11 and the tank section 8, as shown. vThe head 11 has rigid connection with a stem 13, which is slidably mounted through a 'spider 14 formed upon the tank section 8. The 4stem 13 is screw-threaded for engagement with a nut 15, by the means of which the head 11 may be clamped in its closed position.

The passage of water through the nipple 3 is controlled by a waste valve structure, comprising a plurality of annular valves 16 cross-section, as shown, to4 conduct the water by the same with the least possible amount of friction. The valves 16 and 17 have their lower ends adapted' to be moved-into and out of engagement with valve seats 18 and 19, respectively. These valve seats comprise packing rings 20. yThe annular valve seat 19 is positioned upon the nipple 3 and attached thereto by any suitable means. The annular valve seats 18 and 19 arel rigidly ranged sections of material or webs 21, which extend upwardly for engagement with a' cirengage the valve seats 22. and 18, respec-4 with packing rings 23 and 24 to makethese engagements air tight. The circular valve seat 22 has rigid connectionwith a vertically disposed sten: 25, upon which is slidably mounted a'collar 2 6, having depending preferably' diametrically arranged rods 27 connected aherewith'.' These rods are suitably and '17. Theseva-lves are formed curved in cular valve seat 22. T he upper ends of the. annular valves 16 and 17 are adapted totively, said annular valves being, provided...

7 and 8, secured together lby any suitable means. The lower tank section 8 is disposed l connected by preferably diametrically ar-y connected with the annular valves 16 and 17,

vas shown at 28. The upward movement of the collar 26 is limited b a n ut 29 engaging the upper screw threa ed portion of the stem 25, said nut 29 being locked in adjustment at different positions by a second nut 30. A section of packing 31 is disposed between the collar 26 and the nut 29 andsecured to said nut by any suitable means. A section of packing 32 is slidably connected with the lower end of the collar 26. A lock nut 33 is screw threaded onto bolt 25 and engages the circular valve seat 22 to lhold 25 firmly in place. L A

The casing l1 is provided opposite the nipple'4 with an opening 34, adjacent which is disposed an auxiliary casing 35, having anges 36 and 37, as shown. The flange 36 extends within the opening 34 while the ange 37 is rigidly connected with the casing 1 by any suitable means. Disposed within the auxiliary casing 35 is a leafspring 38, formed of a plurality of springleaves 39, carrying plates 40, which are held together by clamps 41. The lower plate 40 is provided with a recess for receiving the upper end of a bolt 42, operating through a screw-threaded opening formed in the casing 35'. The outer rend.v of the leaf-spring 38 is disposed 'below a shoulder 43 formed in the casing 35, while the inner end of this leaf-spring 1s provided with an opening for receiving the stem 25. The leaf-spring 38' is so tensioned that the same tends to hold the annular valves 16 and 17 in theiropen or raised position. By rotating the bolt 42 the tension of theleaf-spring 38 may be varied. The auxiliary caslng 35 is provided with a discharge opening 45, which is normally closed by a valve 46,- havingrigid connection with a stem 47, ,which inturn operates through an opening formed-in a spider 48. The stem 47 is screw-threaded for receiving a .nut 49, whereby the valve 46 maybe locked in its "closed position. After the nut 49 has been moved away from the spider 48, the valve 46 may be unseated by oscillating a lever 50, carriedby a' link 51, which is pivotally connected 'with 'the auxiliary casing 35, as shown at 52.

The passage of water into the storage tank from the casingl is controlled by a discharge valve structure, comprising spaced superposed circular and annular valves 53 and 54, respectively. y These valves are adapted to engage and disengage annular valve seats 55 and 56, provided with packing 57, as shown. The lower valve seat 56 1s .per ends of which is rigidly connected a vertically disposed stem 59. "This stem 59 disposed within and `suitably secured to the nipple 2. The valve seats 55 and 56` serves as a guide for the vertically movable valve 53. `The annular valve 54- is connected with the valve 53 by means of preferably diametrically arranged rods 60. The valve 53 is normally held in its lowermost position by a compressible coil s ring 161, which is engaged by a nut 62, whic in turn is clamped in ad'ustment in different positions by a secon nut 63. The casing 1 is provided near its upper end with an opening 64 formed therethrough, which is adapted to supply air within said casing. A check valve (not shown) is to be provided to allow the air to enter the casing 1 but to close upon a reverse movement of the air.

In the operation of this form of ram, assuming that the waste valve structure is in its open position, as shown in Fig. 1,' the water will begin to run in the drive pipe 6 and discharge through 'the waste valve struc-V ture. When the flow of the water increases sufficiently in velocity, the same by impinging against the annular valves 16 and 17 causes the same 4to be seated and the flow of water through* the nipple 3 cut oil'. When -the water is flowing through the nipple 3, as above described, a partial vacuumis created within the casing l, whereby air is als drawnl into this casing through the opening 64. As soon as the waste' valve structure is closed the pressure lncreases 1n the' casing 1 and closes the check valve (not shown) controlling the opening 64. The water unwhich entered the valve 64 now risesin' the casing 1 and by opening or unseating' the valves 53 and 54, enters the storage pressure tank. The operation continues until the energy in the moving column of water in the drive pipe is dissipated at which instant the ow of water throu h 53 and 54 stops and the valves close. he pressure continues to rapidly fall'in the casing 1 whereby' the spring 38' unseat-sv the valves' 16 and 17 and the operation' as' described above is repeated. The object of having a small amountof air enter at each stroke is to 'maintain 'the air'supply in 'the storage pressure tank as this would be otherwise slowly dissolved by the flowing water. The valve 45 is employed when starting the device, the same being opened or unseated to reduce the pressure, wlthin the casing 1.

When starting .the device, the valve 45 is unseated, whereby the water may more freely pass from the casing 1 and hence the velocity of the water in the drive pipe will be materially increased. 4The valve 45 may also be employed to quicken the action of the device, for assuming that the water in the drive pipe has gained in velocity sufiiciently toseat or close the waste valve structure, such velocity of the water will then begin to decrease. The waste valve structure is retained seated by the pressure in )der pressure and the small amount of air 4 drive pipe 6 to continue its movement and increase in velocity. It will thus be seen that by unseating the valve 45 the stroke of the hydraulic ramniay be shortened and l made quicker.

Referring now toFig. 2, the dorm of the hydraulic ram shown therein, comprises a' casing 65, provided at its upper and lower l ends with flanged nipples 66 and 67. The

casing 65 is provided upon one side thereof with a flanged nipple 68, for connection with a drive pipe not shown). 'The lower nipple 67 has suitable connection with a waste pipe 69. Disposed above the casing -65 is a pressure storage tank 70, having its open lower end provided with an annular flange 71, which is suitably connected with the flanged nipple 66. The flow of water from the casing 65 into the waste pipe 69 is controlled by a waste valve structure, comprising spaced superposed circular and annularl valves 72, 73 and 74. These valves are disposed in superposed relation and are connected by pairs of preferably diametrically arranged rods 75. The valves 72, 73 and 74 coperate with spaced superposed annular valve seats 76, 77 and 78, having their lower ends concaved, as shown. These valve seats are rigidly connected by sections of material or webs 79, .which are preferably diametrically arranged. The lower valve seat 78 is connected with the nipple 67 by means of screws 80 or the like. The valve seats 76, 77 andI 7 8 carry packing rings 81 upon their upper ends, as shown. rEhe annular'valvesl 73 and 74 carry packing rings 82 uponftheirv upper ends. The webs 79 have 'their'.adj'acent upper ends provided with an openingl formedtherethrough for slidably receiving' a reduced end 83 of a vertically disposed stem 84. This stem has screw` threaded engagement withl the valve 72, as shown. The stem 84 is slidably mounted through an opening formed through the inner end of a horizontal arm 85. This arm extends' Withinl an auxiliary casing 86eforme'd upon one side of thecasing 65. The arm 85'is-provided intermediate its ends with a cylindrcal opening formed therethrough for rotat'ably receiving a reduced cylindrical portion 86 of an adjusting bolt 87. Thisbolt carries a nut 88. The bolt 87 o erates throughv a screw-threaded opening -ormed through the auxiliary casing 86.` The arm 85 is engaged by a pair of clamping bolts 89, operating in screw-threaded openings formed through the auxiliary casing 86. rli`he upper end of the stem 84' is screwthreaded for engagement with a cap 90, which engages a compressible coil spring 91, having engagement with a cap 92 surrounding stem 84 and disposed upon the horizontal arm 85. The function of the spring 91 is to normally hold the valves 7 2, 73 and 74 in their unseated positions. By adjusting the arm 85 the tension of the coil spring 91 may be varied. The discharge of water from the casing 65 into the pressure storage ltank is controlled by a discharge valve structure, comprising spaced superposed circular and annular valves 93, 94 and 95. These valves are rigidly connected by means of pairs of preferably diametrically arranged rods 96, as shown. These valves coperate with spaced superposed annular valve seats 97, 98`and 99, which, are rigidly connected by sections of material or webs 100, disposed preferably in diametrical relation. The lower valve seat 99 is disposed within and has suitable connection wlth the u per nipple 66. The upper ends of the Weds 100 are connected with a cylinder 101, having an opening 102 formed through its lower end, for

receiving a reduced extension 103 formed upon the stern 84. The cylinder 101 carries packing 104 upon the lower end thereof, The annular valves 94 andl 95 carry packing rings 105 and 106 at their upper and lowerends, as shown. The circular valve 93 carries packing 107 at its lower end. The circular valve is slidably mounted upon a verticall disposed stem 108, having screwthreade engagement-#with the cylinder 4101.

The circular valve 93 is engaged by a socket' 109, receiving one end of a compressible coil spring 110, having its upper end vdisposed within the socket 111. The upper end of the stem 108 is screw-threaded for the reception of nuts 112. `The lower end of thecasing .65 is provided with a spigot 113, which may be operated' to discharge the water from saidV casing. The casing "65 is provided at its upper end with an a1r inlet 114, controlled by a check valve 115 and a cut-oit' valve 116.A

It is to be understood that all three forms of ourl invention are provided with the cooperating y check valve 'and cut-off valve.

The storage tank 70 is provided with a discharge opening 117, which leads into a pipe (not shown) vfor conducting the fluid to any desired place.

In the. oper-ation of this form of our invention,'wl1en the valve structures are in the positions shown in Fig. 2, the Water from the drive pipe is beingdischarged into the storage tank 70. AS soon as the water decreases in velocity sufficiently, the pressure in the casing 65 is reduced and the spring 91 will 'open the waste valve structure. The discharge, valve structure is closed prior to the opening of the waste valve structure. The column of Water now increases in velocity and impinges against Air is drawn into the casing 65 through the' end with a spigot 126, whereby water may -be discharged from the casing 118.

' opening 114, for a purpose as explainedv in connection with Fig. 1.

In Fig. 3, we have shownathird different form yof hydraulic ram, the same comprising a casing 118, provided at its upper and lower` ends with flanged nipples 119 and ,120. 'The casingI 118 is provlded upon one side thereof wit-h a flanged ni ple 121 for -connection with a drive pipe not shown). Ihe lower nipple 120 has suitable connecton'with a waste pipe 122. Disposedbove the upper nipple 119 is apressure storage tank 123, 'having;;its lower open end prolvided wlth a' ischarge openin leads into a pipe (not shown) vided'witlr an'annular flange 124, which is -lldisp'osed upon andrsuitably connected with said upper ni ple. The tank 123 is pro- 125, which aving communication with the device to be operated. The casing 118 is provided near its lower The casing' 118 is further provided at its upper end with an air inlet 12.6', which is contr'olled by a check valvey and cut-off valve,

in the same manneras described in connection with Fig. 2. The passage of water through the waste pipe 122 is controlled by a waste valve structure, comprising a plurality of spaced superposed circular 'and annular valves 127, 128 and 129. The annular vvalves 128 `and 129'carry packing rings 130, secured upon the upper ends thereof. The -'annular valves are ri idly connected with the circular valve 127 y pairs ofpreferably dialnetrically 'arranged .rods 131. The valves coperatev with spaced superposed annular valve seats 132,133 and 134, which are rigidly connected by diametrically arranged sections of material .or webs 135. The valve seat `134 is. disposed within and 50' extends through an .opening ormedthrough the circular valve 127 and is disposed within the4 tubes 1138 and 139. A compressible c'oil spring 141 surrounds the stem 140 and has engagement with the valve 127 below thesame. This spring has itslower end disposed within the tube 139 and engages a cap A142,- which is held in place by a-nut 143.r

y '.'Ihe stern 140 is held in yit's'requ'isite Iposiy tion by Ia horizontal arm 144, said stem being provided with vnuts 145 to clamp the mnergend of: the arm upon opposite sides thereof. The arm 144 is siga/ported in a like manner to .the correspon ing arm .shown yse and described in connection with Fig. 2. The functlon of the spring 141 is to retain' the waste valve structure open. The up- Ward movement of the ,valve 127 is opposed by compressible coil springs 146, carried by vertically disposed bolts 147, which extend through suitable openings formed in said valve 127 and are rigidly connected with the uppermost annular Valve seat, as shown. The discharge of the water into the storage tank 123 from thecasing 118, is controlled by a discharge/valve structure', comprising an inverted cupshaped receptacle 148, having its lower open end disposed within and suitably connected with the upper nipple 119. This casing is provided upon its top and sidewalls with a plurality of openings 149 formed therethrough. Eachgof these openings has a spider 150 disposedl therein and sultably connected with said receptacle. These s iders have screw-threaded engagement with Ibolts 151, which carry curved plates 152. Disposed between the curved plate and the spider isa suitably flexible valve 153. Each of the valves 153 is capable of allowing the water to flow through the opening 149 into the tank 123, but such valve will close upon a reverse movement of. the water, the curved plate being provided with openings"154 formed therethrough.

The operation of this form of our invention is very similar to the operation recited in connectlon with Figs. 1 and2 and therefore need not be again given.

We wish it understood that the forms of our invention herewith shown and described, are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that certain changes in the shapes, sizes, and arrangements of parts may be vresorted to without departing from the spirit of .the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus fully described our invention, we claim 1. In a hydraulic ram, a casing provided with upper and lower oppositely arranged discharge and waste openings, a valve for controllin the discharge opening, a valve for contro ling the waste-opening, a spring tending to unseat the second named valve, and means disposed in the line of flow of supply and adapted for discharging material from said casing in addition to the dis- Acharge and waste openings for'the purpose of starting'the ram.

2. In a hydraulic ram, a casing provided with discharge and waste openings, valves for controlling the passage of material through such openings anda valve disposed in \the line. of flow of supply and adapted when unseated to discharge material from said casing' in addition to the discharge passing through thel two named openings. v

3. In a hydraulic ram, a casing provided with discharge and waste openings, a -valve -for controlling 'the discharge opening, a

valve for controlling the waste opening,

said casing being provided with a third opening in addition to the two named openings and disposed in the line of How of supply, a valve for controlling the third named opening7 and manually operated means to move the last named valve.

t. In a hydraulic ram, a casing provided with discharge and waste openings, a valve for cont-rolling the discharge opening, a valve for controlling the waste opening, an auxiliary casing having communication and connected with said casing, a leafspring disposed within the auxiliary casing and extending into the first named casing for engagement with the waste valve for normally holding the same unseated, and movable means engaging the wall of the auxiliary casing for changing the tension of the leaf-spring.

5. In a hydraulic ram, a casing provided with discharge and waste openings, a valve for controlling the vdischarge opening, a valve for controlling the waste opening, an

auxiliary casing having communication and connected with said casing, said auxiliary casing being provided internally thereof with a shoulder, a leaf-spring disposed within the auxiliary casing and extending therefrom to be positioned in the first named casing to have connection with the waste valve, said leaf-spring having one end thereof disposed below and in engagement with said shoulder, and a bolt longitudinally movably mounted through the auxiliary casing to engage the leaf-spring yfor changing the tension thereof upon the rotation of said bolt.

In testimony whereofV we aiiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

STIRLING B. HILL. CLIMIE E. HILL. WILLIAM R. HILL.

Witnesses:

O. B. POND, H. C. APPLEGATE. 

